The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, with his colleagues the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Minister for Finance, and the Minister for Health, has today (Tuesday 25th April) obtained government approval to award the tender for significant upgrade works at Rosslare Europort.
These upgrade works are necessary to provide permanent Brexit infrastructure at Rosslare Europort to ensure compliance with EU Customs, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and official food controls legislation, thereby providing protection for the EU single market.
Speaking after the government meeting, Minister Donohoe said:
“Today, I briefed my Cabinet colleagues on this important stage of Ireland’s post Brexit adjustment. I am delighted that we are now in a position to award the tender for this vital project and to allow work to begin.
"I would like to congratulate the OPW on their ongoing work on this project, as well as all the other Departments and agencies who have worked closely with the OPW to reach this stage.
“This is a vital development to ensure Ireland can effectively manage the new requirements for checks and controls on trade with the UK. It will facilitate trade at the port and connect with other important infrastructure being delivered for Rosslare and the South East through the National Development Plan.
“I look forward to seeing the commencement of these essential works over the period ahead.”
The Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath said:
“Today is another strong step in giving Ireland the infrastructure it needs to manage the new trading arrangements with our UK neighbours. The Revenue Commissioners are one of the key partners in the operation of this expanded and modernised Rosslare Port given the increase in businesses’ engagement with customs systems due to the impact of Brexit.
These upgrade works will further enhance the efficient flow of goods through Rosslare Europort.”
Commenting on the Government’s approval of the plan, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said:
“I welcome this really important development on the investment of a crucial piece of infrastructure at Rosslare Europort. Amongst other functions, this investment will provide the necessary infrastructure to support the carrying out of EU import controls on agri-food products from the UK as required following its departure from the EU.
“I have been working closely with my Cabinet colleagues in bringing this development forward. My Department has also been in close collaboration with other Departments and agencies including Revenue and the OPW on the project. I look forward to seeing the development continue and come to fruition in due course.”
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said:
“I welcome the awarding of the tender for the development of the necessary permanent State infrastructure in Rosslare Europort. It is essential that we have proper facilities and resources in place so that Ireland can play its part in ensuring that the EU Single Market continues to function efficiently and effectively following Brexit. We also need to ensure that Ireland is protected in terms of consumer protection and human health, and that trade is not unnecessarily impeded.”
Notes
The proposed Terminal 7 development at Rosslare, includes the redevelopment of the existing site and the demolition of a number of existing buildings to facilitate the construction of a new border control post (BCP) consisting of a number of new buildings and associated external site infrastructure.
The Terminal 7 facility will facilitate the processing and exit routes from the passenger and freight ferries that use Rosslare Europort.
The OPW has developed the Rosslare project on behalf of the 3 agencies conducting checks and controls:
- the Revenue Commissioners
- the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- the Department of Health/HSE
Temporary facilities at Kilrane
Due to the short timeframe available to provide facilities in advance of the first potential Brexit date of 29 March 2019, the infrastructure developed at Kilrane, some 1.3 kilometres outside the Port, was put in place as a temporary solution pending the development of permanent infrastructure. This approach ensured that customs and SPS checks and controls could be undertaken on UK goods traffic from the end of March 2019. During 2019 and 2020 enhancements were made to the temporary facilities in Kilrane. At the same time, the OPW advanced the detailed design of a permanent solution within Rosslare Europort in conjunction with the agencies and planning permission was secured in November 2021.
Compliance with the Union Customs Code (UCC) remains a key driver for the need for permanent infrastructure within the Port. The proposed upgrade works will deliver a UCC and Official Controls compliant solution, with the capacity to deal with the volume of vehicles, examination bays, inspection and storage rooms that meet the EU legislative requirements.
ENDS